The SNP claim that Evel proposals will see Scottish MPs become second class politicians at Westminster

NICOLA STURGEON has said that the "hypocrisy and incoherence" of the Tory's plans for English Votes for English Laws (Evel) will increase support among Scots for independence.

The first minister has added her voice to the growing disquiet over what the SNP claim is an attempt to make Scottish MPs second class politicians at Westminster.

Sturgeon said: "I have been very clear that, at least in part, the level of support for independence will be determined by what the Tory government at Westminster does, as well as what the SNP Government does.

"And there is no question that the great disrespect shown to Scotland in these proposals is likely to have more people asking whether Westminster is capable of representing Scotland's interests at all."

Scotland rejected independence at last September's referendum but the constitutional question remains a live issue, with accusations that the Scotland Bill fails to deliver on promises of further devolution to the Scottish parliament.

The Evel proposals, discussed in parliament for the first time today, seek to ensure that English (and sometimes Welsh) only matters can only be made into law if they are supported by a majority of English MPs.

"There is no question that the great disrespect shown to Scotland in these proposals is likely to have more people asking whether Westminster is capable of representing Scotland's interests at all." Nicola Sturgeon

The SNP argue that, because of the funding arrangements between the UK Parliament and the devolved parliaments, changes to English issues will have a knock-on effect on Scotland.

"The Tories have produced a constitutional shambles - staggering in the extent of its hypocrisy and incoherence," Sturgeon said.

"Under these plans - which are all about cutting Scottish MPs out of votes which impact on Scotland and our budget - the Tories are proposing an 'English veto' and 'double majority'.

"And yet they are imposing a totally inadequate Scotland Bill - which fails even to live up to the recommendations of the Smith Commission, never mind responding to the election result in Scotland - on the basis of the vote of a single Tory MP in Scotland, in defiance of the views of the 56 SNP MPs and frequently the 58 non-Tory MPs.

"The Tories have produced a constitutional shambles - staggering in the extent of its hypocrisy and incoherence." Nicola Sturgeon

"The Westminster system wants an English veto - but rides roughshod over the democratic rights of the people of Scotland."

Sturgeon also hit out at the fact that the Tories have rejected the SNPs demand for a "double majority" in the EU referendum, yet will bring in this requirement for laws at Westminster.

"And there is to be a 'double majority' for the benefit of Tory MPs in England - but the Tories reject a double majority to stop Scotland being dragged out of the European Union against our will, as the 56 SNP MPs and others have proposed," the first minister added.

Comments

KW

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

William Steele (not verified)

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

Steve Donaghy (not verified)

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

Derek Louden

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

Derek Louden

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

Derek Louden

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

pictishbeastie

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

pictishbeastie

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

pictishbeastie

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

Robin Barclay

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

Robin Barclay

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

Robin Barclay

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

markryle

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

markryle

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

markryle

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

Karen Dietz

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

Karen Dietz

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

Karen Dietz

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

Roisin Murphy

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

Roisin Murphy

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

Roisin Murphy

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

William Steele

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

William Steele

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

Steve West

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

Steve West

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

Steve West

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

DAVID SMART

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

DAVID SMART

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

DAVID SMART

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

steve andrews

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

steve andrews

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

steve andrews

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

Bill Fraser

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

Bill Fraser

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

Bill Fraser

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?

William Steele - I didn't vote No out of fear, threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Neither did my wife. And quite a few people I know as well. I think you might be in denial.

Andrew Stuart

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 19:53

The UK is a constitutional guddle. The Smith Commission won't address any of this. As Westminster is the UK parliament, if there were to be a mechanism for English MP's voting on English matters this should be arranged through an English parliament which could legislate on devolved English matters. EVEL at Westminster would have to logically be accompanied by SVSL. That would make the negotiations over the Smith Commission interesting!

Andrew Stuart

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 22:32

Why does Nicola and other SNP leaders say that Scotland voted NO to independence. We did not disinterestedly vote NO. No voters Voted NO out of fear, because of threats, intimidation, lies and false promises. Surely even NO voters realise this now. They were duped. This was not a genuine NO vote.

Andrew Stuart

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 07:16

If England wanted to set up it's own parliament, to discuss the English only elements of legislation, then I'd support that... However, Westminster is the wrong setting and making UK wide decisions whilst excluding the elected represenatatives of any part of the population is colonialism at best. Does anyone know if there are any democratic guarantees with in Scots or European law?